An Un-Christmassy Christmas Gift Basket

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LoveAmericanHome #CollectiveBias

Ok guys, Christmas is exactly one week away. Do you have all of your gifts purchased and wrapped? Are you struggling to find an affordable and thoughtful gift for that family member, friend, or co-worker? Before you run to the store and purchase that Christmas-themed gift basket filled with overpriced chocolate and Christmassy things that will be stored away within days all in a basket that the receiver will probably never use again, I have a solution for you.

I am not a fan of Christmas-themed gift baskets at all. If the items cannot be worn, used, displayed, or enjoyed for the entire year, I do not gift it. The only exception to this is edibles. I think most people un-Christmas their homes and want to jump right back into routine and normal life shortly after the holidays - especially since the holidays start earlier and earlier every year.

While doing some shopping at Walmart earlier this week, the huge selection of the newAmerican Home™ by Yankee Candle® brand fragrances caught my eye. Yep, that's right! Yankee Candle® brand now has a line of fragrances! These can be found in the "home" section at Walmart in the candle aisle and you can also see them all on the Walmart assortment page. The price of the large 19-oz jar candle is only $14.93 making it a very affordable gift. The colors of these candles and the selection of fragrances inspired me to make one of my new Minnesota friends a gift basket. An un-Christmassy Christmas gift basket. :)

I picked the American Home™ by Yankee Candle® brand Wine Country fragrance because it smelled heavenly and I know my friend enjoys a glass of wine occasionally after her four young children go to bed. Gosh, four kids. I salute you moms that have a brood of children - especially young ones. There is a 7 year age difference between my two kids so I never really experienced the chaos of multiple kids.

I also picked up the American Home™ by Yankee Candle® brand Clear Mountain Lake fragrance beads because not only did that also smell wonderful, I know it's a color she really likes and incorporates into her decor.

No gift basket is complete without some sort of indulgent snack. This was the only part of the un-Christmassy Christmas gift basket that was Christmas-themed.

I chose a basket that could be used all year long, not just during the holidays. This is another issue I have with baskets and containers used for Christmas gift baskets - they are normally Christmas-themed which limit their use.

I could have written something on the mini chalkboard on the front of the basket, but if you were to see my chalk handwriting, you would understand why I left it blank. Writing with a piece of chalk is not easy!

With a little bit of basket filler, and a gift basket bag to keep everything secure, my un-Christmassy Christmas gift basket was complete with quality American Home™ by Yankee Candle® brand candles and fragrance beads plus an indulgent snack.

Ah yes, I did use a pre-made Christmas-themed bow to tie the bag together. The reason I chose this bow is because it's not made from the traditional looking Christmas ribbon and it can be reused on a wreath. :)

Candle safety tips:

Do not burn candles in a child's room.

Please make sure the candle wicks are cut to 1/8th of an inch to ensure the flame isn't too large.

Each time you burn your candle, allow the entire top layer to become a fragrant pool of liquid wax and you'll get the biggest, boldest scent possible.

Always burn your candle on a heat resistant surface, keep it out of drafts and NEVER leave it unattended while lit.

When only ½" of the wax remains, it's time to let your candle go.

I hope my un-Christmassy Christmas gift basket idea has inspired you to create a personalized gift basket for someone on your list! If all of your gifts are bought, maybe it's time to treat yourself with your own American Home™ by Yankee Candle® brand from Walmart!